Switzerland Wants To Finalise F-35A Deal With US Despite Spiralling Cost
The US is pushing for Switzerland to bear extra costs for producing the jets of between 650 million and 1.3 billion Swiss francs ($807 million-$1.6 billion) on a contract worth six billion Swiss francs, but the Swiss want to agree on a fixed price.
The Swiss Federal Council said "intensive discussions" between the two countries had shown the US was "not prepared to deviate from its position".
The council said the final price of the procurement would depend on factors including US inflation, commodity prices and US tariffs.
"The Federal Council remains committed to procuring the F-35A," the council said, insisting the jets had "significant technological advantage over other aircraft".
The council said it had asked the defence department to review all the available options and report back by November.
The government won a referendum in September 2020 by a razor-thin margin that approved the military spending of six billion Swiss francs on a new fleet.
The F-35A, used by the US Air Force and several European countries, was chosen in June 2021 over competitors from Airbus, Boeing and Dassault.
The first deliveries are due in 2027.
Switzerland's long-standing position has been one of well-armed military neutrality, and the country has mandatory conscription for men.
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